Hyderabad|India|March'2009: Hyderabad may compete neck-to-neck with development and modernization, but loses poorly on the basic necessity of health with its healthy rival. Hyderabad has performed unsatisfactorily in 3 of the 5 key health parameters which are frequency of minor illnesses, satisfaction with Child’s weight, satisfaction with Child’s growth. However, mothers are highly satisfied on the vaccination front with 92% satisfaction, which also explains the satisfaction with the frequency of major illness parameter. The extracurricular activities have received satisfaction of 69% which is relatively lower than Bangalore & Trivandrum which are at 98% & 97% respectively. Similarly, the satisfaction with respect to purity of air is better in Hyderabad with 78% satisfaction than Trivandrum with 59% only. On the purity of water factor, Hyderabad again performs below satisfaction.

Lifebuoy, India ’s largest selling soap, released the Lifebuoy Child Health Quotient, a survey conducted amongst mothers of 17 state capitals of India , to gauge the perception that mothers have with regards to the health of their children. The survey was carried out amongst 17 state capitals with mothers of children in the age group of 4-12 years. The objective of the survey was to bring forth the perception and satisfaction of mothers with respect to the physical, mental and social aspects of their child’s health and factors that influence these. The survey was conducted with mothers across SEC A, B, C & D income group. The health parameters largely focused on issues pertaining to major/ minor illnesses, resistance to disease, anxiety, ability to grasp etc. Satisfaction of mothers with respect to internal and external factors affecting a child’s health like consumption of nutritious food, hygiene habits, vaccination, cleanliness of surroundings etc were probed

The report paints a mixed picture of children’s overall health across 17 state capitals. Lucknow and Kolkata have emerged clear winners, surpassing the others. The mothers are most satisfied with the health of their child in these cities with CHI of 109, which is way above the national average of 100. Following closely are Bangalore with CHI of 108 & Chandigarh with CHI 107. 4 of the high scoring cities are amongst the top 6 metros- Kolkata, Bangalore , Delhi and Chennai. Bhopal and Mumbai rank at the at the bottom of the Child Health Quotient.

Mr. Sudhanshu Vats, Vice President, Home Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited, commenting on the objective of the survey said, “The main objective of the Lifebuoy Child Health Quotient’ 2009 is to spread awareness on factors mothers believe are affecting the health of their children. Constant health related issues are a matter of worry to mothers whose agenda and priority is to ensure better health for her child. This report is an attempt to identify and if possible work towards nipping problems in the bud”

Dr. Swati Y. Bhave, (Executive Director, Association of Adolescent Child Care in India (AACCI), Coordinator of Development, International Pediatrics Association (IPA), Member of Technical Steering Committee, WHO) who was present at the occasion said “The report validates what we see in our profession. Minor illnesses do bother mother’s, cutting across classes and cities. They tend to be a nuisance both to the parent as well as the child. Often children come out weaker, tend to take a longer time to gain lost weight after a bout of say flu or diarrhea. In addition minor illnesses affect education with frequent absenteeism in school and generally cause stress on family finances too.” She further added “ As a doctor, I cannot stress on the importance of hygiene. Hygiene is paramount to keeping good health, and a simple act of washing hands with soap and water can keep children protected from diarrhoea, eye infections, etc”